the day

I have a lot going on today.

• poppyseed cake with cream cheese icing - for birthday dinner
• spag sauce for birthday dinner
• faux stained glass decals for the sunroom - to deter the apparently suicidal robins that keep crashing into the windows
• groceries
• laundry
• church banking
• pilates
  

I need to buy batteries for my camera so I can continue to chronicle my days. It is very distressing to be sitting quietly in the sunroom and have the robins literally charge into the windows. We have lived in this house for 3 years and this is the first year we have had this challenge. Not sure if the light is different; the windows were not especially clean - although they are now as yesterday while the sun shone I cleaned them all in preparation for my decals.

what happened in 1995

I gave birth to two beautiful babes on this day - the 29th of March. They are 14 years old today.
We shall celebrate.

time out

Do you ever feel squeezed?
Like you are being tested.
That you are running, faster and faster and getting nowhere.
That whatever you put your hand to, crumbles.
That obstacles rise up to meet you at every turn.
Gah.
The fight goes on.
I know it is temporary.
It is still unpleasant.

registration

It is time to register for football.

another list

Because there is no better way to procrastinate than to sit with a cup of mint green tea and make a list of things to plant in the garden.

• dusty miller for the edges
• lettuce
• spinach
• radishes
• beans
• tomatoes
• peas
• beets
• green onions
  

I am going to try to do my beans and my tomatoes in large containers. I will also replant my Simon and Garfunkle herb container - parsley sage rosemary and thyme. We will need basil too.
Two years ago we had a bumper crop of basil and we froze much of it; we are nearing the end of our supply.

I am becoming more and more conscious of the need to eat locally and be more self-sufficient.

We have also committed to becoming overall less consumptive. Less meat. Less food; less indulging in excess.

buongiorno

It is the time of the year when the youth of the house may choose their electives for the following semester. They will be in grade 9 and they choose 7 arts electives and end up with 4. Two each semester. They must also declare the art subject that is their priority. My daughter is all about the dance and her first choices are choreography and stretch and strength. She also chose photography and ceramics.

My son is still deciding if he is going the Drama route or Visual Art. He also chose photography as an elective. Other choices include Acting and Improv and Basic Drawing technique.

But, the biggest change will be the language. Over here you need to to have a second language on your high school transcript that will allow you to attend post secondary institutions. Since French is the official 2nd language in Canada most people take french.

My daughter came home with a plan that she could take Italian 9 and in Grade 10 they take Intro to Italian 11 and this covers their language requirement. Seemed a bit dodgy to me. 2 years of a language that is not french and this covers their university entrance requirement. So, I emailed the counselor and it was confirmed that yes they can take Italian instead. For 2 years and then they are done. Apparently lots of kids chose this option a it allows the senior grades another arts elective to round out their portfolios.

So, we are studying Italian next year. I failed first year University Italian. I was a little lost student and had dropped out of creative writing because I could not cope with how weird my professor was. I took Italian instead and then I am not really sure what happened. That is another story for another day.

This is a chance to redeem myself.

We also found out that my daughter can receive a PE credit for all her extracurricular dance and pick up a spare class that she can then use for her academics. This will be very helpful.

found

first day of spring

I have found snowdrops in my front garden. So, despite the fact that it doesn't feel like spring I know the season is changing. Which just affirms that belief that feelings are overrated. It is difficult. Sometimes feelings are overwhelming. But, feelings can be deceiving.

thursday is my middle day

It is officially the middle of the work week. Half way through spring break - doesn't really feel like spring but I am reading about spring on the internets. I know it will come eventually.

I have put the tights away. Well, in actual fact - I trashed two pairs that were beyond repair and my favourite grey pair I have laundered and put aside. Will I remember that I need to stock up for fall? I wore bare legs and black socks yesterday. I love the look of bare legs, little black socks and flat black shoes.

We have a big meeting this morning at work. New things happening. All very vague and mysterious.

I have been making museli for breakfast.

not quite the sun

sweet ginger ale and ever changing late

I suppose it was just a matter of time before the mighty flue that ravaged through my work place found it's way to my system.

Ginger ale is a God send.


I has rained and snowed - the sun has shone and the clouds have rolled in. The wind blows.
But, I have seen a rainbow.

lists

I like to make lists.

I list things to do.

I list things to buy.  I definitely need a grocery list when I go food shopping.  I like to cross things off my list.

Things on my immediate to do list include:

• finish our passport applications - this includes getting the requisite photos taken
• our income tax
• my sister's income tax
• the church's income tax

This is way too much tax.

Things on my eventual some time in my life to do list:

• travel to europe with my husband
• write a book
• learn to knit a pair of socks
• go to Hawaii and get on a surfboard 

These seem achievable today.

six things

It is ridiculously cold here. The snow that fell on Monday still sits on the lawn covering up any potential snowdrop action. I am still not feeling particularly great which is frustrating as I have things to do and places to go. So, I will focus on things that I am grateful for and things that make me smile.

1. Watching my daughter dance.
2. I saw my first crocus yesterday on my walk home.
3. fresh flowers on a grave site.
4. reading blogs
5. wool socks
6. walking to work

I take comfort in the familiar. Surely, it will warm up soon.

lessons

Just as you breathe in and out,
there is a time for being ahead
and a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion
and a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous
and a time fore being exhausted;
a time for being safe
and a time for being in danger.
~from the 29th verse of the writings of Lao-tzu

reflections

For various reasons I have been able to spend a fair bit of time resting on the sofa with not much energy - but just enough energy to travel around the blog world being inspired.

I have enjoyed visiting Shining Egg
Gonzo Mama Knits and Foothill Home Companion.

All of these blogs offer lovely images and are well worth the visit.

We woke to more snow. As day dawned, the snow began to fall again. I drove home from my appointment in a snow storm. Now, the sun is beginning to shine and the snow fall warning has been lifted. Surely this must be the end of winter.

I will spend the remainder of the day folding laundry, cleaning bathrooms, resting.

I am reading about Peak Oil and survival, container gardening and thinking about resurrecting my bread making skills.

can hardly wait

March 29th
Should be a good evening.

Rafiki

My daughter really wanted to be Pumba but was chosen for the role of Rafiki.
Photo by her father - her school dance show.

six things

1. The sun is shining brightly.
2. Friday night dance class is over now that the ballet exam has been completed.
3. My poinsettia is still alive - and thriving - do you think that is why it still feels like winter?
4. I only have one pair of socks without holes.
5. I am looking for a new bike - a cruiser type.
6. Barium is a horrific substance.
   

this too shall pass

Yesterday was a low point. I (hesitate to use the word) "suffered" through a procedure that I would not wish upon anyone. It truly was one of the worst things I have gone through and I have lived through a number of procedures where one's dignity is challenged. I am certain there are people who live daily through worse. And eventually the test ended. So, in the light of the day, it seems rather lame of me to be complaining about it. What I am left with is gratitude for the good health I do have. For my independence and the control I do have over my body.

clean monday

In my tradition we begin Lent with Clean Monday.
We are called to enter this holy season with good intentions and and clean hearts.
Time to spiritual clean house and evaluate what is happening in our lives.
Re-orienting ourselves towards a more righteous life.

It is a day of fasting.
It is a good day to clean house too.
Literally, clean my house.
The laundry is out of control.
There are mountains of clothes.
Too many clothes.
Who needs all these clothes?

The sun is shining.
The wind is blowing.
I can see dust everywhere.
Best to get busy.